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Disha Patani shows us why stretching is important

She is pretty, she is hot and she is gorgeous. Kung Fu Yoga star Disha Patani believes that apart from keeping her fit, working out also gives her glowing skin. She sticks to lots of green vegetables and likes snacking on fruits. She's a trained gymnast and doesn't like missing out on her gym sessions. Stretching forms a major part of the beautiful actor's training routine. This form of exercise not just prepares her for a session of cardio or CrossFit, but also helps her stay healthy and injury-free. Patani likes stretching before and after her workouts to stay fit. Here are some reasons why you should also make stretching a regular habit:

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Makes you flexibleAs we grow old, our muscles tighten and the range of motion in the joints decreases. This can make day-to-day activities difficult. Stretching improves your range of motion, making you flexible. Better flexibility will improve your performance in physical activities and help reduce your chances of injury. Also, when your range of motion increases, the body requires less energy to do the same movements.

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Increases staminaWhen you exercise or perform any physical activity, the body gets tired. When you stretch your body, the muscles and tendons loosen up. This relieves muscle fatigue and increases blood flow across the body. Stretching delays muscle fatigue by ensuring that oxygen is pumped efficiently through your body, increasing your endurance levels. It also helps you reap in the full benefits of your workouts as you will be able to put in a lot more extra effort while exercising.

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Prevents injuryStretching makes the muscles flexible, strong and healthy which helps maintain a range of motion in the joints. When your range of motion reduces, the muscles shorten and become tight and are unable to perform any activity properly. This increases the chances of joint pain, strains and muscle damage. Stretching helps prevent all that.

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Lowers blood glucose levelsA 2011 study published in the Journal of Physiotherapy found that just 20 minutes of passive stretching lowers blood glucose levels in people. The research was conducted on 22 adults who were either at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes or those who were already diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Those who underwent a stretching regimen that included six lower body and four upper body stretches showed a significantly greater drop in blood glucose levels after 20 minutes.

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Reduces stressWhen you are stressed, the flow of blood across the body reduces, leading to knots in the muscles of the shoulders and neck. According to Mayo Clinic, stretching increases blood flow to the muscles and aids circulation. Improved blood circulation relaxes the muscles and the new blood flow to the brain lifts up your mood by reducing the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol.

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Increases stabilityResearchers from Louisiana State University, US, tested 42 college students to find out whether stretching would have an effect on how long they could stay on a machine called a stabilometer. Students who stretched for 30 minutes prior were able to balance longer than those who didn't stretch before getting on board. The scientists concluded that stretching helps fine muscle coordination, so those who stretched were able to avoid slipping and falling by making small balance adjustments.